Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-08
THE BASILISK
7 o OFTO-DAY.
CHAPTER XXI.
EXPECTATIONS.

CHAPTER XXI.
EXPECTATIONS.
At the very moment of his downfall,
while he was actually at last in the
hands of the Belgian police, to whom,
in common with the force in most
European countries, his capture had
for along time been . sort Of day
dream-at the time when he evidently
considered that the game was up,
Plowitz enjoyed over one Of his enemies,
at least, the triumph of complete re-
venge. Through all the manifest
tokens Of his discontinue and fear, it
was evident that he not only appre-
ciated. but ever enjoyed, my terrified
anxiety for Mary, my fury with HIM
self.
I die not realise to the full the
strength of his position until I had hah
a conference on the subject with the
police authorities. The chief official
was exceedingly courteous and sym
pathetic. Plowitz vas calmly defiant,
and spoke throughout Of Mary in a
tone of proprietorship which did not
tend to promote any judicial calmness
of demeanour in me. He did not, as I
mad partly expected, refuse to say any,
thing at all on the subject. On the con-
trary, he stated that I had no
right whatever to question his conduct
and no locus standi whatever in the
affair. The lady had been confided to
his safe conduct by her guardian, Mr.
Beaufoy, a rich and influential English
gentleman. He had fulfilled his trust,
and placed the lady in safe keeping.
When any proofs of foul play came to
light the police would be able to act
without any prompting from an ex-
cited outsider. If their help should be
claimed by Nh. Beaufoy, or any of the
'ady's relatives, he would be happy to
give them any information. In the
meantime he protested against this
offensive interference with his private
affairs, and must decline to say any
thing more on the subject.
The authorities were quite prepared
to believe any evil of their prisoner, but
they were equally impressed, I could
see, with the logical weakness of my
position. Taking what comfort I could
with me from a general promise to
keep a watch over my interests, I de-
parted with a heavy heart in company
with Shaw.
"Come," said my good friend.
''never despair. You couldn't exactly
expect our friend to play into our
hands after all, and give up the only
source of power that remains with him.
But I don't believe in mysterious dis
appearances. We shall certainly be
able to trace Miss F~ortescue."
Icould not take a hopeful view of
the case. I had all along, foolishly
enough, imagined that when Plowitz
was found Mary would be found, and
the disappointment was as great as the
latent hope had been.
At this MOMENT, Harper, Inspector
Rosebush's agent, who had remained
behind at the police-station, caught US
up.
"By-the-by," said Shaw suddenly, Il
suppose Miss Fortescue is not at the
house to which we were going, when
Plowitz saved US the trouble by meeting
us?n
NO." said Harper; u enquired. No
lady had been there"
"But you a trace their movements
rom landlng?"
"Yes, sir. That's just what Tn
about doing"
Shaw was now urgent that we
should leave this part of the enquiry
for the present in the hands of pro-
fessional detectives, and take some
much needed refreshments ourselves.
Harper promised to bring a full re-
port of proceedings as soon as he had
concluded his Investigations to that
best of inns, the Hotel St. An: ine,
whittier we nov directed our steps, en-
gagged rooms, and ordered breakfast,
calling on the way 1T the office of an
English solicitor by direction of Harper.
Once again the salient points in the
story of Mary's abduction were de-
tailed, and Mr.. Lcverett, the solicit
tor, was commissioned to obtain On in
terview with Plowitz, and see were there
any practicable conditions on which he
would consent to aid in her restitution.
We had not finished our repast before
Mr.. Leverett returned.
Il am afraid" he said, 'sthat there
is nothing to be hoped from that man
at present, anyhow. He cynically
declares that there will be enough
charges against him to swamp any on
siderations of clemency on the cor of
his revealing the lady's abode. And
the strongest point, and n OF which
he seems to dwell with much junction.,
is that she was committed to his care
oy her guardian, and that, till the
guardian, requires an account from
him, no n has a scrap Of right to in
terfere.r
2 TN s